Sacramento Republic FC Battles back for 1-1 Draw with Las Vegas Lights FC
April 15, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release
Sacramento Republic FC and Las Vegas Lights FC
(Sacramento Republic FC)
Sacramento Republic FC overcame a 2nd-minute goal from Las Vegas Lights FC to grab a 1-1 draw on the road behind Christian Eissele's 57th-minute equalizer.
Las Vegas Lights FC opened the match with a goal in the second minute off a corner kick from Carlos Alvarez. The corner was played to the near post where Lights FC defender Miguel Garduno made the run and flicked a header across goal to the far post. Lights FC captain Joel Huiqui was perfectly positioned put the ball in the back of the net for the opening goal.
Republic FC's best chance of the first half came in the 33rd minute. Keven Alemán slid a through ball into the box and in stride for Eissele. Lights FC keeper Ricardo Ferrino charged off his line as Eissele tried to blast a shot through the keeper, but Ferrino was able to make the block. The match would go into halftime with Lights FC leading 1-0.
Sacramento found the equalizer in the 57th minute through a set piece. Villyan Bijev sent an in-swinging, right-footed corner kick toward the near post. CEissele made the run and was able to flick the ball far post to beat Ferrino. The goal was Eissele's second of the year and Bijev's first assist.
The visitors thought they had the winner in the last minutes of the match after Moffat slotted a shot past Ferrino. The whistle was blown before the strike, however, as a foul was called in Republic FC's favor just outside the box. Moffat slammed the ensuing free kick into the wall from close distance and the match would end shortly after in a 1-1 draw.
Republic FC come return home for a midweek contest against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Wednesday, April 18. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Papa Murphy's Park and tickets are available via TicketMaster.com.
Las Vegas Lights FC 1:1 Sacramento Republic FC USL Match Cashman Field - Las Vegas, NV April 14, 2018
Scoring Summary: LV - Joel Huiqui (Miguel Angel Garduno) 2; SRFC - Christian Eissele (Villyan Bijev) 57
Misconduct Summary: LV - Alex Mendoza (caution) 21, Joel Huiqui (caution) 37, Sammy Ochoa (caution) 49, Christian Torres (caution) 74, Ricardo Ferrino (caution) 79, Marco Jaime (caution) 83; SRFC - Justin Schmidt (caution) 62, Jure Matjasic (caution) 90
Sacramento Republic FC - Josh Cohen, Shannon Gomez, Justin Schmidt, Carlos Rodriguez, Jeremy Hall, Adam Moffat, Jaime Villareal, Cameron Iwasa, Christian Eissele (Wilson Kneeshaw 78), Keven Aleman (Jure Matjasic 68), Villyan Bijev.
Subs Not Used: Rafael Diaz, Hayden Partain, Luis Espino, Cole Seiler, Roberto Hategan.
Stats: Shots: 19, Shots on Goal: 5, Saves: 1, Fouls: 10, Corner Kicks: 6, Offside: 3.
Las Vegas Lights FC - Ricardo Ferrino, Miguel Garduno, Joel Huiqui, Marco Cesar Jaime Jr, Christian Torres, Carlos Alvarez, Alex Mendoza, Marcelo Alatorre (Anuar Kanan 81), Juan Carlos Garcia (Julian Portugal 57), Freddy Adu (Matt Thomas 51), Sammy Ochoa.
Subs Not Used: Angel Alvarez, Juan Herrera-Perla, Sebastian Hernandez, Adolfo Guzman.
Stats: Shots: 15, Shots on Goal: 2, Saves: 4, Fouls: 19, Corner Kicks: 5, Offside: 1.
Images from this story
 Sacramento Republic FC and Las Vegas Lights FC battle |
 Sacramento Republic FC controls the ball vs. Las Vegas Lights FC |
 Sacramento Republic FC and Las Vegas Lights FC |
United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 15, 2018
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- Lights FC Remains Unbeaten in USL Play After Battling Sacramento Republic FC to 1-1 Draw - Las Vegas Lights FC
- Sacramento Republic FC Battles back for 1-1 Draw with Las Vegas Lights FC - Sacramento Republic FC
- S2 Earns 3-2 Victory in Back-And-Forth Match against Rio Grande Valley FC Toros - Tacoma Defiance
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